DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING APPROACH TO ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN FOREST MANAGEMENT

Abstract

SUMMARY This paper presents a model of dynamic programming in addressing specific challenges encountered in management planning of clonal poplar plantations. The planning challenge is posed by the need to make a decision that will result in maximum revenue, a possibility to select different rotations, plant spacing and the frequency of thinning during the rotations. The aim of this research was to analyze only options that are realistically possible, since the number of possible combinations is extremely high. The dynamic programming model is tested in the Republic of Serbia (Province of Vojvodina) on clonal poplar plantations in the forests managed by the Public Enterprise “Vojvodinasume”. The analysis included possible thinning in the 10 th or the 20 th year (or both) and three possible rotations (20, 25 and 30 years), taking into account three types of plant spacing that are most commonly used in planting in alluvial region of Vojvodina, along the Danube River (6x3 m, 5x5 m and 6x6 m). The result of the analysis showed that the optimal procedure for the management of Euro-American poplar (Populus-euroamericana I - 214) stands, in the given conditions, in the long term, involves afforestation with plant spacing 5x5 m, thinning in the 10 th year and the rotation length of 25 years.